Editor
John Thebout will be taking on a fourth term as mayor, after he was re-elected with over half of the votes.
Unofficial results from the Clermont County Board of Elections show Thebout receiving 57.63 percent of votes and Kathy Turner receiving 42.37 percent of votes.
“I’m just humbled and I appreciate everyone that supported me,” Thebout said.
To Thebout, this means that the majority of residents like what he and the other village administrators are doing. In his next term, Thebout hopes to bring more business into the village, he said.
“When business comes to town people follow,” Thebout said.
“In my opinion things are looking really good and we’re moving the village in the right direction,” Thebout said.
Turner expressed her gratitude to the residents who voted for her and said she is willing to help Thebout in any way she can.
“I’m disappointed. I would have liked to have had the chance to try the things I wanted to try to improve the village,” Turner said.
Thebout is finishing his third term as mayor, after being elected for the first time in 2003, he said in response to a questionnaire.
“I’m running this year for the same reasons I have run before. I believe in community, and I believe in Batavia. I sincerely believe we can make the village of Batavia one of the finest county seats in Ohio,” Thebout said in his response.
He added that he believes he can bring Batavia to where it should be with the help of the village council, administration and staff.
Residents Doug and Tina Shearer both voted for Thebout.
“He’s been a good mayor,” Doug Shearer said. Tina Shearer added that he is also a nice man.
Turner has served several terms on council and on council committees, which she believes has given her experiences that would make her a successful mayor. She has also served as vice mayor and attended Mayors’ Association meetings, she said in her responses.
“Batavia deserves a leader that will promote who we are and who understands our Village. I have lived my whole life in Batavia and have raised my family here. I know our history, and I want to make sure our future is bright,” Turner said in her responses.
The leadership in the village should be open and responsive to what the community needs, Turner said. She also feels community bonds need to be strengthened.
Resident Mark Eisen voted for Tuner because he has known her for years and he thinks she would make a good mayor.
“I like the way she does things,” Eisen said.